First up is a US$349 Google Play edition of LG's G Pad 8.3 tablet which has an 8.3 inch 1920x1200 display and Snapdragon 600 SoC, while there's 16 GB of internal storage, and a microSD slot. It’s only available in the US, however.

Next is a Google Play edition of the Xperia Z Ultra available for US$649 in the US, while bringing up the rear is a special edition white Nexus 7, which will be on sale in the US, UK, and Japan.

Apple switches on iBeacons

Apple has switched on its iBeacon tracking system in 254 Apple Stores in the US, promising to end the misery of getting lost in a shop (and to bombard you with information and offers, if you agree to let it).

The system, which communicates with iOS devices via Bluetooth Low Energy (which means it works with all iPhones since the 4S and all iPads since 2), is able to tell Apple gadget-toting shoppers exactly where to go, directing them to individual products on shelves, and even show them custom messages on nearby screens. It's not in the UK just yet, and Apple hasn't outlined plans to bring it over. Perhaps that's a good thing.